Not During But After - August 13, 2024

splintered flashes

and clouds grumble

on the other side of the valley

birds wait for a sign

a shaft of sun  measure of stillness

that it’s time to break cover

a hawk alights on a powerline  

I wave my arms

it bolts into the sky

life won’t be fair for that one

today’s edge is to all the other birds

and with darkness fast approaching

I’m sure they’d prefer

not to mumble at wet leaves

or daydream from a damp branch

time off is not their luxury

like it is my indulgence

as I stare into a gray dripping world

twiddle the fingers of my mind

and study survival while sipping

from my large mug of privilege